Fire crews prepare for dangerous conditions

SAN DIEGO (NEWS 8) — Not taking any chances with intense Santa Ana winds on the way, Cal Fire is bringing in additional resources.

"We're increasing our staffing [and] we're staffing extra equipment in preparation for this event," said Cal Fire Captain Jon Heggie. "One thing that we're doing a little differently this time, is we are bringing an aircraft down - we're bringing a type 1 air tanker down."

"Historically here in San Diego, October is a very dangerous month," said Heggie. "We've had some of the worst fires in history here in San Diego in October."

Promoting lessons on preparation, the San Miguel Fire District held open houses this weekend.

"[I] think it's important for them to do and to prepare for a fire for our kids and for them to be comfortable with the firefighters," said El Cajon mother of three Janny Andersen who visited a fire station during an open house.

Andersen's kids wore junior fire hats and she says they are ready at home.

"We have an emergency kit prepared, [they're] getting comfortable with the firemen and knowing what to do if there's a fire at our house," she said.

An approaching winter storm is poised to open an "atmospheric river" of subtropical rain clouds on Southern California this week, but the San Diego area is expected to see just a fraction of that moisture, forecasters said Sunday.

An approaching winter storm is poised to open an "atmospheric river" of subtropical rain clouds on Southern California this week, but the San Diego area is expected to see just a fraction of that moisture, forecasters said Sunday.